Passenger dies, driver injured in 1-vehicle Volusia crash

May 11, 2010|By Anika Myers Palm, Orlando Sentinel

A woman who was the passenger in a one-vehicle crash died Monday after the truck hit a tree and overturned.

Francis Starost, 69, of Summerfield, was driving a 2002 Ford pickup truck westbound on State Road 40 about 6:45 p.m. when he overcorrected as the vehicle drifted left. The truck rotated clockwise and traveled into a ditch, collided with a tree and overtuned.

Starost and his passenger, Lyudmyla Starost, 58, were ejected from the vehicle. Lyudmyla Starost died at the scene. Francis Starost was seriously injured and transported to Halifax Medical Center.

Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seat belt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Charges are pending.